WHY DOES MY WASHING MACHINE SMELL?

When you’re pulling your washing out of the machine after a wash, you want to be hit by whatever fragrant scents you’ve chosen in your detergent. But what if that doesn’t happen? What if, instead, you’re hit with foul-smelling odours or an underlying musty smell? No one wants smelly clothes, nor do they want a washing machine which gives off bad smells wherever the door is left open.

We’ve touched on the topic of smelly washing machines briefly before, but this month we’re dedicating a post to answering the question “Why does my washing machine smell?”. We’ll talk about the potential causes and then give some basic cleaning tips which might help eradicate the smell you’re noticing.

WHAT MAKES A WASHING MACHINE SMELL?

Unclean machine

With many of us using a lower temperature wash these days to help the environment, it means that more mould and dirt is likely to build up inside your machine. This, in turn, can mean that there is a smell in your washing machine.

Unclean seal

Detergent drawer

Poor plumbing

HOW TO GET RID OF BAD SMELLS IN WASHING MACHINES

If you’ve been able to narrow the cause of the smell down, you might have a chance of tackling it. Even if you’re unsure, some of these following steps are likely to help.

Wash the machine

Yes, it might seem a little silly to wash your washing machine, but all appliances suffer from a grime or dirt problem every so often. Newer machines come with specific cleaning setting these days, but a hot wash on empty with non-bio detergent (whites) ought to work, too.

Clean The Seal

Under the lip of the rubber seal, there could be dirt lurking. You can get rid of it by gently peeling the lip back and using some warm soapy water and some elbow grease. Sometimes, if the dirt won’t lift, it might mean that you’ll need a new seal to get rid of the smell it’s creating.

Clean The Drawer

You should be able to remove the detergent drawer so that you can give it a good wash in warm soapy water. If it won’t come out, you will have to be careful not to use too much force when cleaning. For any really stubborn grime, an old toothbrush is a handy tool.

Use Of Mould Remover

You can use a product that is purposely designed to remove oudor, mould and mildew from washing machines. One which has good reviews and also recommended by us

Call A Professional

Where there is a plumbing or drainage issue, it’s likely that you’ll need a professional to help. Sometimes you might not be able to identify the cause of the smell from your washing machine, or you simply might not want to go pulling bits of your washing machine apart to find out. If this is the case, getting a qualified appliance engineer to inspect your machine is the right step. With professional help, you’ll get a quicker diagnosis and peace of mind knowing that the smell from inside your washing machine will be eradicated properly.

At Appliance Repair, we provide award-winning Washing machine repair in Nairobi Kenya. Our engineers work around the clock and can help if you have any plumbing issues or need a problem with your washing machine diagnosing – regardless of the brand or model. You can even manage your appointment and track any repairs online using our website function. Call us today to discuss your washing machine issue or for an appointment and we’ll be happy to book you in.